The Senator's Secret Read online

  “Yeah, but that’s the issue here. He didn’t sign up for a real relationship, did he? He signed up to get his debts paid off. To be seen with me. To be Senator Dalton’s husband in name only.”

  “Wait a moment.” Curtis got up from his chair and paced, like he always did when he was trying to figure something out. “Let’s go back to what Josh said, about you two seeming like a real couple. Rapport like that takes two, Sam. There has to be some connection there, some chemistry.”

  Sam knew that all he had to do was close his eyes, and he’d be back on that couch, with Gary in his arms, making out. He couldn’t repress the shiver that trickled down his spine.

  “I don’t think I want to know what you just thought about,” Curtis said with a snicker. “Because I have a sneaking suspicion it was dirty. And best friends or not, I draw the line at hearing tales of your sex life, okay?”

  Sam smiled. “You have no worries on that score, believe me.”

  Curtis laughed. “I think you’re worrying about nothing, Sam. Circumstances pushed the two of you together, and happily for you, things are working out better than you’d ever hoped. Think about it. What’s better, to find yourself married to a guy who you don’t get along with—where there’s no chemistry, no shared interests, no nothing—or to find yourself with a partner who complements you, who you clearly like, and if that little shiver was anything to go by, who does it for you in other areas too?” He stared at Sam intently. “And la, la, la, I still don’t want to know.”

  Sam grinned. “But I get to hear about all your conquests,” he teased. “How stacked they are, how eager…. It only seems fair that I reciprocate.” Not that he had the slightest intention of doing so.

  “Only if you want to lose your best friend,” Curtis muttered. “Sam, I love you like a brother, but I do not want to have pictures of you and Gary in my head, okay? You gay, me straight, and never the twain shall meet. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  Curtis got up from his chair. “I think I preferred it when you were in the closet,” he said under his breath. “It was a whole lot less traumatic.”

  Sam snorted. “You and Josh opened this Pandora’s box, remember? Deal with it.” He peered at him. “Haven’t you got some staff to go shout at? That’s what you do here, isn’t it?” He was enjoying himself.

  Curtis gave him a superior look. “Fine.” He got as far as the door before turning back to gaze at Sam. “You do know how happy I am for you, don’t you?”

  “I do.”

  “By the way? My mom says she knew she was going to marry my dad about a week after they met.” Curtis smiled. “Dad says it took him a little longer. He knew after two weeks.” He speared Sam with an intense gaze. “Eleven days. Pfft.” He disappeared out of the office.

  Sam got up from his chair and wandered over to the large window that overlooked the backyard. Can it really be that simple?

  Curtis’s words were still in his head. You can make this as real as you want it.

  The only difficulty with that argument was that Sam didn’t think he was ready to make it as real as things could get.

  “DO I look okay?” Gary asked Sam as they reached the front door of his parents’ house. He’d taken an hour to decide on his clothing. The prospect of meeting Sam’s family was a daunting one, and he was conscious of wanting to make a good impression.

  Because if this goes how I want it to go, they’re going to be my family too.

  Sam snickered. “You look fine, which I’ve already told you at least twice, and if you didn’t, it’s a little late to be doing anything about it. Got your ring on?”

  “Yup.” Gary held up his left hand. He wished he could wear it on his ring finger, but the risk was too great. He imagined Sam would be heartbroken if he lost it.

  “Then let’s do this.” Sam paused, finger at the doorbell. “Take a deep breath, and remember: my relatives don’t bite.” He pushed the bell and added, “Much.”

  Gary growled. “Has anyone told you lately you can be a real bitch sometimes?”

  To his surprise, Sam leaned across and kissed his cheek. “Only you, honey. Only you.” He grinned as the door opened.

  Marshall greeted them with a hug each. “We were beginning to think you’d forgotten where we lived,” he joked, leading them through the hallway toward the living room. From the sound of it, the party was already in full swing. Laughter and chatter filled the air, accompanied by the sound of piano music playing softly in the background.

  “Hey, I asked Mom if she wanted us here early to help set up and she said no,” Sam groused. “And just how many people have you invited?”

  “Only about thirty,” his dad told him. He opened the door and called out, “Look who’s here!”

  There was a lull in the chatter and heads turned in their direction.

  “Finally!” Moira approached them, her arms wide. She kissed Gary’s cheek. “Lovely to see you again. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

  Gary scarcely had time to glance over his shoulder and gaze plaintively at Sam before he was led away. Sam, the bastard, was grinning—until he was set upon by a clearly excited relative who flung her arms around him and nearly squashed the life out of him.

  Serves him right.

  “ANYONE seen my fiancé?” Sam asked his mom half-jokingly. He hadn’t seen Gary for the last twenty minutes.

  “Try the backyard,” she suggested, the frown lines across her brow deepening.

  Ah-ha. He’s gone for a cigarette. “I’ll bring him in, shall I?”

  She nodded. “Your Uncle Patrick and Aunt Sarah will be leaving soon. I’m sure they’d like to say good-bye.”

  Sam left her putting out more canapes and went through the kitchen to the back door. He stepped outside into the cooling evening air. There was no sign of Gary near the house, and with the failing light, it was proving difficult to see much, but Sam spied him at the far end of the lawn, sitting on the bench that circled the oak tree. The thin trail of smoke was clearly visible.

  Sam strolled along the path that cut through the lawn until he reached Gary, who glanced up at him and then quickly averted his gaze. “So tell me,” Sam said, perching on the bench next to him. “Why are you out here, hiding?”

  “It was beginning to feel like the Spanish Inquisition in there,” Gary said before taking a long draw on his cigarette. He blew out the smoke and sagged against the tree trunk. “God, you have a lot of cousins.”

  Sam laughed. “Yes, I do. We don’t get together very often—we did when I was a kid, but I guess everyone is all grown up now and life makes demands of us. It is rare to have so many under one roof at once.” He coughed. “That might be due to us.”

  Gary snorted. “Yeah, I thought as much.” He gestured toward the house with his cigarette. “Have you any idea how many times I’ve been asked when the wedding will be? I feel like making a sign and holding it above my head. It can say in bright red letters: ‘No, we haven’t set a date yet. Yes, you can come—when we set a date.’” He smiled. “Think that ought to do it?”

  Sam shifted closer and took hold of Gary’s hand between his. “Feeling a little overwhelmed?” He liked the intimacy of their connection. It felt… right.

  “Just a little. You have all these aunts, uncles, cousins, friends of the family…. I’m not used to it.” Gary chuckled. “I guess I’d better get used to it, huh? Especially if we end up getting married after all.” He stubbed out the cigarette on the ground and reached into his pocket.

  Sam caught the waft of peppermint and held out his hand. “I’ll have one of those, if I may.”

  Gary handed him a stick of mint-flavored gum and Sam chewed it slowly.

  “Would you mind it so much?” Sam wanted to know. “Suddenly finding yourself with a ready-made family?”

  Gary smiled. “If I’m honest? It will be nice to have a family again. It just takes some getting used to. They were all telling me about what you were like as a little boy, how much trouble you used
to get into.”

  Sam gasped in mock horror. “I was a good boy.”

  “Not according to your cousin Edmond.” Gary snickered. “Something about a, quote, ‘bag of flaming poop’ on someone’s doorstep?”

  “Lies, all of it,” Sam muttered, but he couldn’t keep a straight face for long. “Oh my God. That was totally Granddad’s fault. He was the one who suggested it, but I couldn’t get it to work! And then Mrs. Finlay came home early and caught me.”

  “What happened?” Gary asked between bouts of laughing.

  “Nasty old witch made me clean it up with my bare hands,” he said with a groan. “Lord, I can still smell it.”

  “Ew!” Gary grimaced. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t think I want to marry you after all.” They both sat there laughing, Gary leaning into his shoulder, a welcome weight. When they’d finally stopped, Gary lifted his chin to gaze directly at Sam. “Can we be spotted from the house?”

  Sam took a quick look. “Not unless they have a pair of binoculars trained on us.”

  “Kiss me.” The words had a husky edge to them. “Please?”

  Like Sam could resist, with the way Gary was looking at him, his face barely lit by the solar garden lamps around them. Sam cupped his face, drawing him closer, until suddenly Gary pulled back.

  “Oopsie.” Hastily he removed his gum and looked around.

  Sam picked up a rock from the display at his feet. “Stick it under there. She’ll never know.” He added his own, too, and replaced the rock back where he’d found it.

  Gary was laughing quietly. “See? They’re right about you.”

  Sam drew him close once more. “Then maybe you should be more careful. I’m obviously a bad boy.”

  Gary grinned. “What if I like bad boys?” he whispered and closed the distance between them.

  The kiss started out chaste, but when Gary snaked a hand across Sam’s chest and brushed over his nipple, Sam couldn’t repress his shiver. He slid his tongue between Gary’s parted lips, and the soft sound of desire that escaped made him want.

  “Sam? Gary?”

  Damn it.

  They broke apart.

  “Don’t worry,” Gary murmured against his neck. “I know where you’re sleeping tonight, remember? This isn’t finished.” He got up from the bench and held out his hand. “We’d better go in before she sends out a search party.”

  Sam took his hand, his mind in a whirl.

  How can I be excited, nervous, apprehensive, and horny, all at the same time?

  Chapter Fourteen

  First Night, First sight

  “I’M going to grab a quick shower before bed, if that’s okay,” Gary said.

  The thought of Gary naked under the jets of water sent tremors coursing through Sam. He had to get out of there.

  “Sure. I’m going down to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water.”

  Anything rather than see Gary get undressed. The nights he’d stayed at the house, Sam had only seen him in a soft blue robe.

  Why does the thought of seeing him naked make me so freaking nervous?

  Like he had to ask that question. Gary’s kisses had awakened him to the thrill and anticipation of sex. And every time they kissed, all Sam could think about was the two of them….

  Okay, I need to stop right there.

  Mom was in the kitchen. “I thought you’d gone to bed,” she said with a frown.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed out of my room,” he said dryly. That earned him a whack on the arm. “Hey, Mom? I’m not a teenager anymore. Will you stop doing that?”

  “When you stop sassing me, I’ll stop hitting you,” she said with a sweet smile. “I take it you want something.”

  He went over to the cabinet and removed a glass. “Just some water.” The house was quiet around them. The party had gone on until midnight, and the last guests had departed by one. Three or four relatives were staying the night, those who’d traveled the farthest to be there.

  “Actually, I’m glad I’ve got this chance to talk to you,” Mom said quietly. “Your room has everything you could need—and I do mean everything.” Her cheeks pinked up.

  “What are you up to?” It was rare to see her so… flustered. Mom did not “do” flustered.

  “Well, I did a little shopping this week and I bought… condoms and… personal lubricant. Although the cute guy at the store called it lube.” She wrinkled her nose, as if the word tasted funny in her mouth. “I put them in your nightstand.” Then her eyes sparkled. “He really was cute, you know. If it wasn’t for Gary, I would have introduced you.”

  It was official: the world had just stopped on its axis. “Excuse me? You went shopping for these?” He had visions of his mom in a drug store, dropping a box of Trojans into her basket. Just the image in his head was plain wrong. And as for her even thinking about trying to find him dates….

  “I went online first,” she said. “I found this neat little store downtown—actually, I found two of them! Right in Asheville! Anyway, I went to take a look.”

  “Please, tell me you didn’t take Dad with you,” he groaned.

  “Pfft. Like I’d do that. He’d spoil all my fun.” She grinned, clearly having gotten over her embarrassment. “They had so many things. I saw something I think you and Gary could have a lot of fun with. I’m going to pick it up for your birthday.”

  Lord, take me now. Sam did not want to even hazard a guess.

  “I asked the clerk at the store for some advice, and he made a suggestion. And there were so many different lubes to choose from, but he said the one I picked was really good. He said it’s water soluble, and edible, so you don’t have to worry if you get some in your—”

  “Mom!”

  Her mouth snapped shut and she blinked several times in quick succession.

  Sam took a deep breath. “I’m glad you went to such lengths, but you didn’t have to.” He stifled a groan. “You really didn’t have to.” He gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’m going to bed. We are not talking about this again. You got me?”

  She nodded. “Good night.”

  He took his glass and escaped to the sanctuary of his room. Sam closed the door softly behind him and shook his head.

  That did not just happen.

  The bathroom door was open, but the shower wasn’t running. Either Gary hadn’t showered yet, or his idea of a quick shower bore no resemblance to Sam’s. He could never spend less than ten minutes in a shower. Sam placed the glass on the nightstand and couldn’t resist opening the drawer. He shut it hurriedly at the sight of a box of condoms and a bottle of cherry-flavored lube.

  Can’t think about that.

  He caught the sound of humming and peered through the gap in the doorway, unable to stop himself.

  Then Sam stopped breathing.

  Gary had his back to the door while he rubbed himself down with a towel. Sam couldn’t tear his gaze away from the curve of Gary’s neck down to his shoulders, the smooth line of his nude back, down to where it swelled into a firm, round ass. Lord, he has dimples. Strong, lean thighs covered in a down of dark blond hair.

  He’s beautiful.

  Then Gary bent over to dry his feet, and Sam had a perfect view of his crack, with just the merest hint of what lay hidden behind dark blond fur. He swallowed hard, but his mouth was dry.

  Then it struck him. I’m perving on him. This is so wrong.

  Quickly Sam stripped off his clothing and pulled on his sleep pants before Gary could come back into the room. He dove under the sheets and attempted to affect a calm he didn’t feel.

  Gary walked out of the bathroom and smiled at him. “Do you want to use the bathroom?” He wore a pair of soft-looking gray sleep pants that sat low on his hips. Sam tried not to stare at Gary’s lean torso, a trail of dark blond hair disappearing under the waistband, below which was visible the outline of his dick. His erect dick.

  Fuck.

  Sam made a supreme effort and rolled onto his side
, facing away from Gary. “I brushed my teeth before you went in there,” he explained. The mattress dipped as Gary got into bed. Before he could say a word, Sam reached out and switched off the lamps. “Well, good night.”

  The only sound in the still room was Gary’s breathing. After a moment, a chuckle came. “And good night to you too.”

  Sam heaved a sigh of relief and shut his eyes tight, trying not to think about the fact that he was sharing a bed for the first time ever.

  Am I mad? I could just roll over and we could….

  More tremors coursed through him. No, we could not….

  Sheets rustled. The mattress dipped in the center. Soft lips brushed against Sam’s ear before kissing gently down his neck, sending shivers down his spine.

  “Like that?” Gary whispered.

  In spite of the writhing knot of snakes in his belly, Sam couldn’t deny how damn good it felt. “Yeah,” he whispered, and Gary went right back to kissing his shoulder. Unhurried, like they had all the time in the world. Like they shared a bed every night and this was nothing new. He could smell Gary’s shampoo, a masculine, citrus smell that infiltrated his nostrils.

  When Gary slid a hand over his waist to stroke his belly, Sam wanted to moan aloud at the sensual touch. He could feel the heat from Gary’s body as he shifted closer, and then suddenly there was definitely more heat pressed up against his ass. Heat and hardness.

  Sam shuddered out a sigh, and Gary kissed his neck once more. He rocked slowly against Sam’s ass.

  “You feel that?” His voice was low and hoarse.

  “Yes,” Sam croaked.

  When Gary slowly slid his hand lower to cup Sam’s thickening shaft through his sleep pants, there was no way Sam could keep back the soft moan. Gary gave his length a gentle squeeze before stroking it. Sam grew harder at his touch, and Gary’s breathing sped up.